Happy May!
We are preparing for summer break and Alaska reminds us adventure that awaits! Long summer nights, camp fires, trips down the Seward Highway, fishing on the Russian River, cooking on the grill….and so much more!
As the school year winds down, I want to encourage all families to make a plan for the continuation of learning over the summer. We know every child has lost instructional opportunities due to the pandemic. Our summer break is long and children will have further regression if they don't keep up the momentum that we have found since the return of in-school instruction. This should include reading every day (20-30 minutes) and practicing math. All students have access to i-Ready, which is a great program to support summer learning (30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week). The joy of learning can be found through a great book series, writing adventures in a journal during camping trips, and playing math games (as a few examples). Thank you for making a family plan to keep your child growing socially, emotionally, creatively, and academically!
Finally, I want to let you know that we are planning for next year to be as “normal” as possible. We will still be wearing masks; however, parents will be invited back into the building, field trips will be planned, and specialist schedules will be made. I am going to encourage Parent Coordinators to work together to plan our traditional school-wide events that make our school special. Chugach has not been the same without parents in our hallways and we are looking forward to that time again.
Congratulations to our sixth graders, as the upper team put it best, “Thank you for the gifts you have brought to our school!” I also want to wish our families well that are leaving Chugach and thank them for all that they did during their time over the last several years. I sense the kids are ready but it is certainly bittersweet to say goodbye! I am so proud of each of them and know their future is bright!
As you will read through the Scoop, you will see our sweet Beth is on her way for another chapter in her professional life. I want to take a moment to say thank you to Beth in a public way. The Admin Assistant role is critical to a principal's success at a school. Beth has been outstanding at her role with staff and parents, but she especially has been loyal, efficient, kind, and basically my right hand. I will dearly miss her and know wherever she goes, her light will shine. Thank you, Beth for all you have done at Chugach and for your friendship--you are a very special person!
~and suddenly you just knew it was time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.~
Have a wonderful summer! I can't wait to see you in the hallway next year with my latte in hand!
Warm Regards,
Clare
